Florida Gov. Charlie Crist said he thinks President Barack Obama could be in for an ousting from office similar to what happened to Democratic President Jimmy Carter after his first term.(PHOTO CREDITS: Chris Welch/CNN)MACKINAC ISLAND, Michigan (CNN) - Florida Gov. Charlie Crist said he thinks President Barack Obama could be in for an ousting from office similar to what happened to Democratic President Jimmy Carter after his first term.

"I think the people wanted a change," the Florida Republican said, speaking of the election of Obama in November while drawing similarities to events decades earlier.

"They wanted a change back in 1976. You remember? Richard Nixon had been president. That ended. Gerald Ford took over. The people decided they wanted a change. They got one-Jimmy Carter. Four years later, they took care of business-Ronald Reagan."

"It may happen again," Crist went on. "I believe that the people have seen that they wanted a change but not this much. Not this kind, and not this way. America is awake and we're coming back."

Crist, who's now running for U.S. Senate, said Republicans feel a winning streak coming on for the next few years, "so bad they can taste it," he said. "Especially after the seven or eight or nine months that we've had of this new administration."

House Republican Whip Eric Cantor delivered an address himself Saturday morning. Cantor touched on the healthcare debate, calling some of the options being discussed in Washington of late "ill-defined," adding they would be "a gamble," according to remarks sent out by Cantor's campaign committee.

The Mackinac conference is held every other year-non-election years-and brings together politicians and candidates from across the state of Michigan, as well as national Republican figures making waves.

Also scheduled to speak this year is Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. Both men have been rumored to be considering a presidential run in 2012.

soundoff(300 Responses)

sensible Cape Coral FL

President Obama has got to be given credit for trying to change the lives of our citizens for the better. To what extent is the Republican Party prepared to take its share of blame for the delay in his plans?
True of all Republicans: Take credit for everything and blame for nothing.

September 26, 2009 04:11 pm at 4:11 pm |

Rob

I agree with the governor totally. The extreme liberal side of the democratic party has taken the reins from Obama and is ramming ahead their agenda, which a majority of Americans have and will continue to reject. The 2010 mid-term elections are going to give the democratic party whiplash, that's how severe this correction is going to be. It isn't a question anymore of stopping Obama. It's a question of removing Pelosi and her ultra liberal agenda from power. Who knows, that correction may allow Obama to govern from the center ... which is the only place a first term president can govern from and get elected to a second term. As it stands now, Obama is being dictated to by Pelosi and those who strongly favor her ultra liberal brand of politics. He's got to have a Speaker and a Senate Majority Leader who are more centrist, and he doesn't have that now.

September 26, 2009 04:13 pm at 4:13 pm |

paul

well mMR CRIST is hardly gonna turn upto a republican event and say obamas gonna win another massive landslide is he . hes got to say that at a republican event . ill make a prediction so far has MR CRISTS party moved to the looney tune right the they have no chance of makeing any inroads at the midterm elections in 2010 . onlt 20% identify as gop any more . charlie boy you need to ask ya self why . and were were you an ya gop fiscal coservitives when bush was spending like a drunken sailor not one word from them . they think its ok to bankrupt the nation for war , but we cant possibly aford health care for all . PS CHARLIE KEEP WONDERING WHY YOUR PARTY IS IN A POLITICAL ICE AGE . the answer is obvious you lot are to blind to see it .

September 26, 2009 04:13 pm at 4:13 pm |

Ryan, Council Bluffs

If Obama continues the way it looks. Gitmo reversal, mixed bag on economy (and the recession is not done yet if the latest Treasury report on home foreclosures is accurate), health care contradictions. I can see a democratic challenger...Hillary seems to be getting little respect by the admin. Her appointment was a keep your enemies closer move. Unpopular with the media and WH, but well put Crist.

September 26, 2009 04:13 pm at 4:13 pm |

Mike In Kansas

I don't think the voting public of the US are the same as those that voted in 1980. But since mr. Crist wants to get into a time machine lets quote a few numbers here. In 1980 less than half of the eligible voters were even registered to vote. Less than one-third of that number bothered to vote. Which mean that great landslide of 1980 that republicans like to claim, was created by one-sixth of the country. And we all know what a wonderfull job mr. reagan did to the economy. We are still paying for his corruption 30 years later. Now the same stone walling that existed in the Great and Splendid Presidency of Jimmy Carter is being attempted by the republicans today. Wont work this time guys. The voting public is way to smart this time. You will see in 2010 when Phase III of the republican blood bath takes place.

September 26, 2009 04:14 pm at 4:14 pm |

NATHAN WIMBERLY

If by "we" he means the wingnut party, he is delusional like Beck,Limbaugh,Cantor and the rest. They are being exposed daily just like last year. Their minority party doesn't have the votes to stop anything as last Nov showed.

September 26, 2009 04:14 pm at 4:14 pm |

Truth time

Oh gee Governor!

You mean that the fella who loves his country enough to get in there and do the dirty work might be unpopular for a little while!!!!!

Well hell then Gub! lets do like the predecessor Republican !!!!!

Lets start a fake War! Get a buncha Gods children killt and crash the economy too boot! but you know whos gonna be keepin that money? all the rich in your state that have been stranglin the population for decades......is that your 2 cents Gub?

We know exactly where youre coming from Charlie......and We are going to do our utmost to send you back.

The People.

September 26, 2009 04:15 pm at 4:15 pm |

Jim H, Glendale, CA

And we should be surprised what this man with the perfect tan says? In what way is news. "Republican predicts big win for the GOP!" I predict they might gain a few seats, but lose others. 1994 is not going to happen, because they've lost their credibility.

September 26, 2009 04:17 pm at 4:17 pm |

SF Serg

Should we be surprised that this is coming from a Republican Governor? More surprised that it's coming from Republican Governor running for Senator?

September 26, 2009 04:17 pm at 4:17 pm |

Bob

Talk about wishful thinking...What GOP candidate for 2012 wouldn't give you this headline????

September 26, 2009 04:17 pm at 4:17 pm |

GIBBS

this man is so right. the mesiah will be gone in four years.....american will speak of change again.......

September 26, 2009 04:17 pm at 4:17 pm |

VA Guy

Wow. That is all I can say. Okay, not all.

I thought Crist was different, I thought he was one of the republicans whe endorsed some of Obama's initiatives, etc.

September 26, 2009 04:17 pm at 4:17 pm |

Stephan

Heck of a prediction from a guy who was too scared to run for re-election as Governor of Florida.

September 26, 2009 04:20 pm at 4:20 pm |

Tired

Would be really nice if someone could root for our country to do well rather than wish we would crash and burn for their own political future. I have heard nothing since November except "the next election". Good grief we just had one. Isn't there anyone who hopes and prays that whomever our leaders are the country does well and the people prosper? Evidently not. Just let everything negative happen and if it doesn't say it did anyway....just so I can get elected.
I guess it is part of the me-me generation. The Bible says envy and greed are the root of evil and I am now sure that is true.

September 26, 2009 04:23 pm at 4:23 pm |

ray

can anyone please tell me anything a republican has ever done for the common man ?

September 26, 2009 04:23 pm at 4:23 pm |

Ken in Gainesville

Good old Charlie "tell them anything they want to hear" then do what the developers and bankers tell you what to do. This is the same guy that said he was an environmentalist, then completely gutted Florida's growth regulations, destroyed Florida's land acquisition program, and set the stage for mining north Florida's rivers to fund the growth of OrlandoTamapMiamiFtLauderdale. Good old smilin' Charlie, the snake oil salesmen. All I can say is, hold onto your wallet and kiss the environment and education good bye. But he likes casinos! Why should anyone think this man has something useful to say?

September 26, 2009 04:24 pm at 4:24 pm |

John Smith

I'm not certain what the Republicans are tasting is victory. How about bile? Negativity and constant criticism is not a platform, it's a sickness. How about another Richard Nixon Mr. Christ? The paranoia is certainly there in your neo-cons. The people did take care of business, they voted your party put!

September 26, 2009 04:24 pm at 4:24 pm |

susanmh

Why don't republicans and liberitarians start helping instead of being snide and critical. They are coming off like they hate Obama so much that they want America and Americans to suffer. They never have solutions, they never offer compromises, they got nothing just the same old rhetoric.
Either help the USA or leave it!

September 26, 2009 04:24 pm at 4:24 pm |

DvIRGINIA

I don't agree with Gov. Crist for this reason; We Americans have a different mind-set regarding war than in the Carter Presidency. After the Republicans placed us in Iraq for this unwarranted war we have learned that war is not the only way to deal with other countries. Perhaps if the Bush administration were not in such a hurry to leave Afghanistan and go to Iraq with what we now know was a lie about WMD's–we would not have the problems that we face now in Afghanistan. And Gov. Crist, just what do you propose we do, about anything. Just saying no to anything Obama proposes is the cowardly, unintelligent way of handling all of our problems that the Bush administration has handed us. The youth of today are educated and think things through before making all decisions. The end of the "Old White Men's Club" is coming and thank goodness. I put my trust in the new generation of educated, intelligent young people and feel they will do much better for America than the old angry men have done in the past. Hey conservatives, get in touch with your feminine side because the women will out-rank the men in the very near future.

September 26, 2009 04:25 pm at 4:25 pm |

kimberly

haha, I love the smell of bitter republicans in the morning...AHHH...This guy is such a dweeb. His fake and bake tan, and over sprayed tan are a joke, hes a joke and the republican party has become a charachture of itself, it got hijacked by the extreme loons of the party and all these govs and senators are buying into it. They are the ones that are losing and going to lose even more in 2010. Health care WILL pass, people will see its fine, and all the moderates will vote again for Obama...The right is so cute though with their teabagging and ranting, thank you for making more Democrats every day...

September 26, 2009 04:25 pm at 4:25 pm |

Gary

I'm not too worried. UnlessThe republicans, come up with a miracle
President Obama will do just fine. Just because you set up there and talk nosence. No one is listening. Things are starting to get better no matter how hard the repubs try against it.
Remember, Obama's approval #'s are a little lower than a few months ago, but they are miles ahead of any republican. Especially in congress.

September 26, 2009 04:25 pm at 4:25 pm |

Hannah

Well, that's what they would like, but is isn't going to happen. President Obama is not a Carter in any way. Carter was a good man and a poor politician and that is one reason he lost out in the end. President Obama is a shrewed politician. And I don't think anyone wants republicans back anytime soon. They tend to ruin our country in a devastating way.

September 26, 2009 04:26 pm at 4:26 pm |

jim s

dream on when the republicans get thru saying no to everything
the american people will say no to them

September 26, 2009 04:26 pm at 4:26 pm |

john, IN

Wishful thinking. Americans do want change, and that is just not coming from a bunch of crusty old white guys lying through their teeth to kill the Presidents agenda, while providing ZERO solutions of their own.